COMPUTER REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

Tools Needed in Computer Repairing

1. Multimeter :

This is the best measuring tool used to check laptops and desktop computers, and in some cases, this tool
can even repair motherboard. It is better to buy this tool with as many functions as possible.

2. Soldering iron :
A soldering iron is a hand tool used in soldering. It supplies heat to melt solder so that it can flow into the
joint between two workpieces.
A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle. Heating is often achieved
electrically, by passing an electric current (supplied through an electrical cord or battery cables) through
a resistive heating element. Cordless irons can be heated by combustion of gas stored in a small tank, often
using a catalytic heater rather than a flame. Simple irons less commonly used today than in the past were
simply a large copper bit on a handle, heated in a flame.

3. Soldering Wire :
Soldering Wire is used in soldering various PCB Components or any other circuits. Soldering wire is used
along with soldering gun. Solder wire is comprised of different alloys, or of pure tin. Each metal requires
a certain type of soldering wire to create strong bonds, because the combinations of metals that comprise
soldering wire melt at different temperatures.

4. Soldering Flux or Paste :

Flux is used to clean the base or surface metals of oxides before and during the soldering process. Each
flux has an activator package that start working at different temperatures, depending on its application.
No matter the form – liquid or paste or powder – flux cleans the metals chemically.
5. De-soldering gun :

This gun is perfect for all sorts of jobs such as de-soldering capacitors, DC Jacks, coils, etc. This gun also
can be used to solder in, but for convenience reason, I use a soldering station to solder in. This gun has a
replaceable tip and is made with high quality materials.
 6. Soldering iron Stand :

soldering iron stand composed of a heavy-duty metal base and a reinforced spring holder. The base and
holder are detachable. A circular cleaning sponge, which has a nice home at the bottom of the base
7. Wire Cutters :

Wire
cutters are helpful in stripping and cutting wires as per ones need
8. Wire Strippers :
Wire Strippers are pliers that help in stripping the wire off its insulation. A wire is generally coated with
a covering of insulating material. If the situation demands, the wire has to be stripped-off of all its
insulating covering to use it, say as a connector or a cable. A wire stripper consists of a pair of blades that
function as a pair of scissors does.
9. Phillips Screwdriver (Non-Magnetic) :
This is probably the most important tool to have out of all of them. Pretty much all computer parts are
fastened together to the computer through some form of a screw. It is important that the screwdriver not
have a magnetic tip. Having a magnetized object inside of the computer case can damage some circuits or
drives. It is not likely, but best not to take the chance.
If you plan to work on a notebook computer, they typically use a smaller style of a screw. For this, you
want to look for a Philips jeweler's screwdriver or a 3mm sized model. This is a much smaller version that
will fit the small screws. A few companies use a fastener called a Torx that is pointed star, but usually,
these are not meant to be removed by the user.
10. Screw Driver Kit :

This set has everything else you will need when working on desktop & laptops including MacBooks. It
comes with Pentalobe, Slot, Phillips, JIS, Torx, Torx Security, Hex, Square, Triangle, Tri-Wing, and Nut
driver bits.
11. Blower :
Blowers are used to remove dust from electronic components, PC cabinets, laptops, keybords etc.
12. Hot Air Machine :

Hot Air Machine or Hot Air Blower is a tool or equipment that blows hot air for desoldering (removing)
and soldering of SMD (Surface Mount Devices or Electronic Components) or IC from the PCB of a
Mobile Cell Phone or any other PCB. It is also called SMD (Surface Mount Device) rework system and
SMD repair system. It has control to regulate or manage temperature and flow or hot air. Temperature
settings range from 200 to 500 Degree Celsius.
 13. Oscilloscopes :

Oscilloscopes are mainly used when diagnosing diagnose power issues on a desktop PSU and laptop step-
down converters. This tool eases the work a great deal that it is worth the investment. It would be very
difficult to diagnose certain faults without it. Particularly, in terms of dried out capacitors with no external
signs of leakage. Just remember, a faulty desktop with a faulty PSU has a damaged hard drive.

Maintenance Tools :
To troubleshoot and repair laptop systems properly, you need a few basic tools. If you intend to
troubleshoot and repair systems professionally, you may want to purchase many more specialized tools as
well. These advanced tools enable you to more accurately diagnose problems and make jobs easier and
faster. Here are the basic tools that should be in every troubleshooter’s toolbox:
Simple hand tools for basic disassembly and reassembly procedures, including a selection of flat-blade
and Phillips screwdrivers (both medium and small sizes), tweezers, an IC extraction tool, and a parts
grabber or hemostat. Most of these items are included in $10–$20 starter toolkits found at most computer
stores. Although most of the same toolkits sold for conventional desktop systems will have these tools,
for portable systems you may also need sets of smaller-sized flat-blade and Phillips screwdrivers and a set
of small Torx drivers or Torx bits as well. For laptops, you may encounter Torx screws as small as T5, so
consider purchasing a set including bits down to that size.
Diagnostics software and hardware for testing components in a system.
A multimeter that provides accurate measurements of voltage and resistance, as well as a continuity
checker for testing cables and switches.
Chemicals (such as contact cleaners), component freeze sprays, and compressed air for cleaning the
system. Foam swabs, or lint-free cotton swabs if foam isn’t available.
Small nylon wire ties for "dressing" or organizing wires or small cables (such as internal Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
antennas).
You may want to consider the following items, although they’re not required for most work:
Memory-testing machines (used to evaluate the operation of memory modules). Note these can be very
expensive, on the order of $1,000 or more, but can be useful for professional shops or larger companies
with a lot of systems to support.
Serial and parallel loopback (or wrap) plugs to test serial and parallel ports.

A network cable tester or scanner (many types with varying functionality are available, from simple
loopback jacks to full-blown Time Domain Reflectometers).

PART 2
What is Moth erboard?
The motherboard or PCB (Primary Circuit Board) is responsible for connecting all computer devices to
the microprocessor. It supplies devices with power and allows the computer to react with them, Devices
that can be used by connecting to the motherboard are: Storage devices, sound cards, graphic cards and
hard disks.

Devices or components that are needed to make the computer work as it should, are inbuilt within the
motherboard or can be connected to it using a socket or port. Listed below are sockets and ports that are
available on the motherboard for connecting devices and , what that they are capable of doing.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Slot: Supports peripherals like sound cards, DVD decoders,
and graphic accelerators with 32 bits at 33Mhz capabilities. There are usually anywhere from 1 to 6 PCI
slots available on the motherboard.
Components of Motherboard as Follows :
1. AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port), 2. Chipset-North Bridge ,3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) Socket
,4. DIMM (Double Inline Memory Module) slots, SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) and RIMM ,5.
Motherboard Battery 6. IDE Connector , 7. Firewire header (IEEE 1394) ,8. PS/2 Connectors
9. USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port , 10. Parallel or (LPT) Port ,11. Game Port , 12. Sound Card
Connectors , 13. Display Connector , 14. COM (Communication) Port
1. AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port)

This provides fast bus speed connectivity along with fast access to the main memory. It is designed for
video cards that demand higher bandwidth.
 2. Chipset-North Bridge

An integrated circuit that has special duties.

3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) Socket

A socket specifically for connecting your computer processor.

4. DIMM (Double Inline Memory Module) slots, SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) and
RIMM

Different types of memory (RAM) can be installed into these slots.

5. Motherboard Battery
A battery compartment, which stores the battery used for storing data such as system date and time,
when you shut down your system.

Motherboards also include a small separate block of memory made from CMOS RAM chips which is
kept alive by a battery (known as a CMOS battery) even when the PC’s power is off. This prevents
reconfiguration when the PC is powered on.

CMOS devices require very little power to operate.

The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information about the PC’s configuration for instance :

- Floppy disk and hard disk drive types

- Information about CPU
- RAM size
- Date and time
- Serial and parallel port information
- Plug and Play information
- Power Saving settings
 6. Cache memory

Cache memory is a small block of high-speed memory (RAM) that enhances PC performance by pre-
loading information from the (relatively slow) main memory and passing it to the processor on demand.

Most CPUs have an internal cache memory (built into the processor) which is referred to as Level 1 or
primary cache memory. This can be supplemented by external cache memory fitted on the motherboard.
This is the Level 2 or secondary cache.

In modern computers, Levels 1 and 2 cache memory are built into the processor die. If a third cache is
implemented outside the die, it is referred to as the Level 3 (L3) cache.

7. IDE Connector
Responsible for connecting the IDE cord used for hard disks, CD drives, and DVD drives.
8. Firewire header (IEEE 1394)

A serial bus used to exchange digital and audio data with high performance abilities.

The following listed items are parts that are built within the motherboard with specific connective uses
such as keyboards, mouse, and printers :
 9. PS/2 Connectors

Each motherboard usually has 2 PS/2 connectors for the keyboard and the mouse.
10. USB (Universal Serial Bus Port)

There are usually a couple of these ports located on each motherboard used for connecting pen drives
and external hard drives, like Ipods or Mp3 players.

11. Para llel or (LPT) Port

The place used to connect scanners and printers.

12. Game Port

The port to connect all gaming devices for example, a joystick.
13. Sound Card Connectors

You can Plug in your microphone or speakers here.

14. Display Connector

Connecting your monitor to the motherboard.

15. COM (Communication) Port
 The port designed to connect your mouse and modem.

Wait for part 3……………………@